FCC Consumer Complaints – 5 September 2017

Introduction

A total of 1112 consumer complaints relating to telecommunications services were recorded by the Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday, 5 September 2017, complaint volume increased from 391 complaints the previous day. Reports were received from 51 states and territories, with California recording slightly more complaints than other locations. Unwanted Calls was the most frequently reported issue, with 707 complaints recorded.

Key statistics

Total complaints
1112
States & territories reporting
51
Most common issue
Unwanted Calls (707)
Most reported state/territory
California (122)

Where the complaints came from

Reports recorded on 5 September 2017 show 1112 complaints originating from 782 cities across 51 states and territories. Activity was spread across states and territories, with no single location accounting for a substantial share of complaints. At the city level, complaints were similarly dispersed, with no single location accounting for a notable share of the total.

The table below summarises the number of complaints reported in each state and territory on this date, ordered by total reports.

State/Territory Complaints
California 122 11.0%
Texas 82 7.4%
Ohio 65 5.8%
Florida 64 5.8%
New York 61 5.5%
Georgia 51 4.6%
Pennsylvania 43 3.9%
Illinois 37 3.3%
New Jersey 36 3.2%
Arizona 35 3.1%
Other states and territories 515 46.3%

What the complaints were about

Complaints recorded on this date related to 6 different complaint categories. Phone accounted for the largest share, with 899 complaints. Complaint activity was strongly concentrated in this category, with other categories contributing comparatively fewer reports.

Complaint category Complaints Share
Phone 899 80.8%
TV 101 9.1%
Internet 98 8.8%
Radio 10 0.9%
Emergency 3 0.3%
Request for Dispute Assistance 1 0.1%

Phone complaints

899 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 80.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Unwanted Calls 707 78.6%
Billing 78 8.7%
Equipment 30 3.3%
Availability (including rural call completion) 23 2.6%
Privacy 20 2.2%
Junk Faxes 14 1.6%
Number Portability (keeping your number if you change providers) 14 1.6%
Cramming (unauthorized charges on your phone bill) 8 0.9%
Interference (including signal jammers) 5 0.6%

As is often the case in this category, unwanted calls were the most frequently reported issue. Further analysis of these complaints is provided below. Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Equipment and Availability (including rural call completion).

TV complaints

101 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 9.1% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 54 53.5%
Availability 17 16.8%
Equipment 14 13.9%
Loud Commercials 7 6.9%
Interference 4 4.0%
Indecency 2 2.0%
Privacy 2 2.0%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 1 1.0%

Billing and Availability were the main issues reported in this category, while other issues were less common.

Internet complaints

98 complaints were recorded in this category, representing 8.8% of the total.

Issue Complaints Share
Billing 30 30.6%
Speed 19 19.4%
Availability 18 18.4%
Equipment 10 10.2%
Privacy 10 10.2%
Interference 6 6.1%
Open Internet/Net Neutrality 5 5.1%

Complaints in this category covered a range of issues, including Billing, Speed and Availability.

Unwanted calls

707 complaints relating to unwanted calls were recorded on this date, accounting for 63.6% of all complaints. Reports referenced both caller ID numbers and business contact numbers, with number tables shown where meaningful patterns are present.

Most reported caller ID numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(833) 217-3824 7 1.0%
(213) 259-8194 5 0.7%
(323) 999-9874 5 0.7%
(425) 553-2176 4 0.6%
(406) 813-0675 3 0.4%
(786) 245-8945 3 0.4%
(786) 435-2148 3 0.4%
(212) 999-8789 2 0.3%
(352) 204-8209 2 0.3%
(356) 245-6498 2 0.3%

Most reported business contact numbers

Telephone number Complaints Share
(833) 217-3824 9 1.3%
(323) 999-9874 3 0.4%
(555) 555-5555 3 0.4%
(773) 377-9612 3 0.4%
(786) 435-2148 3 0.4%
(202) 866-7286 2 0.3%
(202) 957-9898 2 0.3%
(213) 259-8194 2 0.3%
(281) 204-2105 2 0.3%
(413) 213-4501 2 0.3%

Key patterns

  • Prerecorded Voice was reported slightly more often than other call types.
  • (833) 217-3824 stood out as the most frequently reported business contact number.
  • (833) 217-3824 was reported slightly more often than other caller ID numbers.
Page last updated: 10 December 2018 with FCC complaints data from 5 September 2017.

The information presented on this page is based on consumer complaint data submitted to regulatory authorities. References to telephone numbers reflect reports made by consumers and do not confirm ownership, authenticity, or that the number was genuinely associated with the call. Caller ID information may be inaccurate or subject to spoofing.

Complaint categories, dates and complainant locations are based on the source records and may contain incomplete, approximate or user-entered information. Location details refer to the complainant’s reported location, not the location of the caller or telephone number. This content is provided for informational purposes only.